Conroe resident Ladawna Johnson visits with representatives of State Farm Insurance during the Greater Conroe/Lake Conroe Area Chamber of Commerce “It’s All About Me” job fair Friday at Ark Family Church.

Conroe resident Ladawna Johnson visits with representatives of State Farm Insurance during the Greater Conroe/Lake Conroe Area Chamber of Commerce “It’s All About Me” job fair Friday at Ark Family Church.

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Chamber job fair worthwhile for visitors

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While the Ark Church was abuzz with residents looking for new employment opportunities, some company representatives at the Greater Conroe/Lake Conroe Area Chamber of Commerce job fair said attendance was down this year.

The Chamber hosted the fifth annual “It’s All About Me” job fair with more than 25 companies on hand to visit with job seekers. The event was sponsored by Willis-based R&M Energy Systems. R&M Energy manufactures and markets products for the oil and gas industry.

“There just isn’t as much traffic this year,” said Rebecca Macey, a senior human resource representative with R&M Energy.

Last year, the fair had more than 400 job seekers.

“I’ve been to a few job fairs in the past, and it seems a little slower than in the past,” said Carey Edwards, admissions representative with the Texas Barber Colleges & Hairstyling Schools. “We haven’t seen a rush yet, but we are doing well and we are getting some activity.”

Kelly Bielamowicz, with the Chamber, was unavailable for comment regarding the turnout.

Edwards said she attended the fair with hopes of encouraging job seekers to attend the cosmetology school. Founded 40 years ago, the Texas Barber Colleges & Hairstyling Schools has locations in Houston, Dallas and Conroe.

Julie McCord, regional recruiter for Missouri-based Suddenlink, said she hoped to fill five positions the company has available locally. Suddenlink provides digital cable, phone and Internet services in Texas, West Virginia, Louisiana, Arkansas, North Carolina and Oklahoma.

Although this is the first time McCord has attended a job fair in Conroe, she said she met a handful of qualified candidates.

“We have had lots of good candidates (come to our booth) and a good variety of people,” she said.

Although attendance was down, those looking for employment welcomed the opportunity to talk with local companies and submit applications.

Greg Guerrero, a resident of Willis and retired from the U.S. Army, heard about the job fair from a friend and attended to find new work. Guerrero said he was looking for warehouse work or general labor.

While Guerrero was interested in putting in applications with several companies, he added that he would attend the seminar on how to interview.

“It’s always good to get an update on how to give a good interview,” he said.

Job fairs, Guerrero said, are a great way to job search since it places so many companies in one location. Guerrero added that the job fair environment also allows job seekers to give their resumes to company representatives rather than spending hours online filling out applications or driving from company to company.

“It is different from running around trying to find companies that are hiring,” he said. “Having them all here is definitely a good opportunity.”

For Montgomery High School senior Natasha Johnson, attending the job fair is experience for the future. However, she said the fast pace of the fair was a little overwhelming.

“I like it, it’s fast and everyone is trying to talk to you,” she said. “It is definitely better than sitting at home filling out applications online.”